Perceptions of Child Abuse: The influence of expert and fictional sources of media

Date
2008-04
Authors
Bryan, Austin
Price, Heather L.
Desmarais, Sarah L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Regina, Graduate Students' Association
Abstract

In cases involving child abuse, there are often no witnesses or medical evidence to support a child’s claim (Bruck et al., 1995). Thus, children’s statements typically represent the central evidence for judging the occurrence of abuse (London et al., 2005). However, it is likely that the average person, or potential juror, does not fully appreciate the complex issues associated with child witness testimony. The source of potential jurors’ knowledge about such issues may have implications for the accuracy of credibility assessments. In the present study, participants viewed one of two videos that depicted either a documentary-style expert discussion or a fictional media presentation (television crime drama) of suggestive interviewing of children. Questionnaires assessing perceptions of suggestive interviewing were presented before and after the video. Participants were then provided with a child abuse vignette and asked to provide guilt/innocence ratings and sentencing recommendations. It is anticipated that, despite the documented influence of popular fictional media, expert discussion of suggestive interviewing will be of more concern to participants than fictional portrayals. This enhanced concern is expected to result in increased severity of guilt and sentencing judgments in the vignette. This study explores influences of perceptions of child abuse through exposure to fictional and factual sources of media.

Description
Poster presented at the 3rd Graduate Students' Research Conference, April 2008.
Keywords
Child credibility, Media portrayal, Child suggestibility, False accusation, Suggestibility
Citation